Can closing machine



1959 J. c. STRICKLER 2,870,727

CAN CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 25. 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 j /h 0 SW Jan. 27, 1959 J. c. STRICKLER CAN CLOSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 23. 1954 INVENTOR.

W C. Stu/W Jan. 27, 1959 i J. c. STRICKLER 2,870,727

CAN CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 23. 1954 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Unite tates The present invention relates to improvements in mechanism for can closing machines whereby metal covers are seamed in place on containers can bodies, and has particular reference to that type of machine wherein the can parts are rotated in the seam forming process.

This application is related to my earlier filed application Ser. No. 384,997, and includes features of construction and arrangement preferable for some types of service.

The present device utilizes power driven seaming Wheels in lieu of the free rotating seaming rollers disclosed in my former application. These seaming wheels are orbitally movable about relatively fixed points adjacent the path of movement of can parts held in support members and revolvable relative to the seaming wheel memher.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide a machine by which the flange of the can cover may be interfolded to the can flange in full measure, thereby forming optimum hems within the limits of the seam structure.

Another object is to provide a closing machine that eliminates skids or skips, which are terms used to denote the slipping or skidding of the can cover on the seaming chucks, and which result in incomplete and imperfect seams. Skids occur when the seaming chucks are Worn, and in seaming cans of small diameter.

A further object is to provide an improved arrangement for progressively completing successive stages of the seaming operation as the cans are moved past the seaming wheels. I

A further object is to provide a machine of relatively simple, rugged and dependable structure which can be manufactured and operated economically.

The invention has other objects and features of advantage, some of which with the foregoing will be explained in the following description of that form of the invention illustrated in the drawings. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings as it may be otherwise embodied within the definition of the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical mid-sectional view of an assembled machine embodying the invention, parts being broken away, and various parts of conventional character being omitted.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine with the cover of the gear box removed, parts being removed and parts being shown in section for diagrammatically disclosing the arrangement of the gears therein in progressive phases of operation.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view, partially diagrammatic in character, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are enlarged fragmental sectional views of the seaming members illustrating the progressive movement through successive phases of the seaming operation.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view indicating the angular movement of a can and seaming wneel through which seaming engagement is maintained.

Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13 are enlarged fragmental vertical sectional views indicating the seaming action at different stages of the operation.

Fig. 14 is a greatly enlarged sectional detail illustrating the completed seam.

In terms of broad inclusion, the machine of this invention comprises a turret having a plurality of free rotating seaming chucks and can support spinner plates for moving can parts (namely the can body and the can cover) along a prescribed course between a supply and a delivery station. Driven seaming wheels are mounted at seaming stations adjacent to and spaced along the path of travel of the cans, and are orbitally movable in timed relation to the movement of the cans therepast to meet and travel with successive cans in seaming engagement with the cans and covers through a substantial distance of movement of the turret, and through one or more complete revolutions of each can and wheel at each seaming station.

In terms of greater detail, the machine comprises a main base plate 1 mounted upon legs 2 or other supporting means. A hollow bearing cylinder 3 extends upwardly from the center portion of the plate 1. The bearing cylinder 3 is positioned perpendicular to the plate 1, and may be formed integrally therewith.

A main turret, designated in general by the numeral 4, is rotatably mounted upon the cylinder 3 with its lower end supported by the base plate 1. The turret may be supported directly, as illustrated, or through suitable thrust bearings, not illustrated. The turret is provided with a gear portion 5 at its lower end engaged by the drive pinion 6 upon the upper end of a jack shaft 7 journaled upon and extending upwardly through the base plate 1. A gear 8, secured upon the shaft 7 below the plate 1, is driven by a pinion 9 secured to the main drive shaft 16 which extends upwardly through bearings 11 seated in the vertical cylinder 3.

The main drive shaft 10 is driven by a prime mover of any available type, not illustrated, connected to the lower endof shaft in any convenient manner.

A sleeve member 12, carried by a gear box 13, is rigidly secured to the upper portion of the cylinder 3. The

lower face of the sleeve 12 functions as a thrust bearingfor the turret 4. Depending from the gear box 13, in spaced parallel'relation to the cylinder 3, are provided a plurality sleeve bearings designated by the numeral 14. Three bearings 14 are illustrated, but the number of sleeve bearings may be varied. Within these bearings are journaled the revolvable cylinders 15. The upper end of each cylinder 15 is flanged and provided with a spur gear 16, the flange portion being supported by the shoulder of its bearing 14. This gear 16 is illustrated in the drawing as being integral with the cylinder 15, but it may be adjustably secured to the cylinder in any convenient manner, not shown. Each cylinder has an eccentric bore 15 extending therethrough and adapted to journal a seaming wheel spindle 17. A pinion 18 is formed integral with the seaming wheel spindle and is supported on the upper shoulder of the cylinder 15'. The lower end of the spindle,

which extends below the cylinder, is reduced in diameter having on its upper and lower levels the gears 25 and 26, is journaled on a jack shaft 27. An intermediate gear 28 is journaled on the cylinder 3 at its upper end,

and is adapted to transmit the movement received from the gear 26 to the spur gears 16.

Secured to the upper surfaceof the gear box 13 is dle pinions18. The'pitch diameter of each internal gear 33 is approximately equal to the pitch diameter of its pinion 18 plus the diameter of the orbital movement of the spindle 17 about the axis of the cylinder 15. The trunnions 31 and the corresponding cylinders are positioned in concentric alignment, so that, when a cylinder is rotated, its pinion 18 will receive power at any position of its orbital movement as it is shifted within the internal gear 33.

Fig. 3 of the drawings illustrates the position of the cylinders 15 together with their co-acting parts in relation to the turret 4. The radial distance of each cylinder from the axis of the turret is the same for all cylinders. The angular spacing of the cylinders 15 is shown as being a little less than the angular spacing of cans along the periphery of the turret 4. This difference is provided so that before the seaming can parts leave one wheel, the next succeeding seaming wheel will have been engaged.

In Fig. 2 is shown the arrangement of the gears used to transmit power to the seaming wheel spindles. At the first posititon, designated by the letter A, the drive member 32 and pinion 18 are assumed to have been removed, so as to show the gear 16 atop the cylinder 15 and the position of the eccentric bore 15' in position for operation of the first seaming spindle. At the position indicated by the letter B, the member 32 is shown in horizontal section, and showing the internal gear 33 meshing with the seaming spindle pinion 18. Position B shows the parts as they are related for effecting the second phase of the seaming operation. Position C indicates a third and final positioning of the parts for completing the seaming. In position C the drive member 32 is shown in its position superposed above the gear 16 which is concealed thereby.

The turret 4 is provided with axially spaced flanges 34 and 34' upon which are mounted a plurality of can engaging units for receiving, supporting and conveying the can parts in seaming relation along an arcuate path between a receiving station and a delivery station. Six

such units are provided in the illustrated embodiment, but the number of units may be varied.

Each can engaging unit comprises a chuck plate 35 secured to the lower end of a spindle 36 rotatably mounted within the upper flange 34. The spindle 36 is provided with a flange 37 which seats upon the top of the flange 34. A stem 38 is slidably mounted within the spindle 3 6, and is spring urged upwardly by a spring 39 engaged between the flange 3'7 and a head 40 upon the top of the stem. A pressure foot 41 upon the lower end of the stem 38 normally seats within a recess upon the under face of the chuck plate 35. The stem 38 and its pressure foot 41 are arranged to be pressed downwardly against the resistance of the spring 39 in timed relation to the rotation ofthe turret 4 by means of a cam 42 secured upon the under side of the gear box 13.

Mounted in the lower flange 34, in axial alignment with each chuck plate 35, is a spinner plate 43 secured upon the upper end of a stem 44, mounted within a lift plunger 45. The spinner plate 43 normally seats within a recess 46 in the top of the flange 34' flush with the plane of a table plate 47 and the top of the flange. The stem 44 is fre'ely rotatable within the plunger 45, and

4 preferably rests upon a ball thrust bearing 48 to facilitate its rotation. The plunger is provided with a roller 49 mounted between the arms of a yoke 50 upon the lower end of the plunger. The roller engages a cam 51 upon the upper face of a housing 52 seated upon the main plate 1 over the gears 5 and 6. A second roller 53 is arranged to be engaged below a flange 55 secured to the housing in spaced relation to the cam 51, and shaped to engage the roller 53 for moving the plunger 45 and spinner plate 43 downwardly at the end of the seaming operation. 7

The downward movement of the pressure foot 41 and the upward movement of the spinner plate 43 are timed to press a can and cover into engagement with each other at the start o f the seaming operation and progressively through the successive stages of the operation as they are conveyed from the receiving station to the delivery station. Y

Cans 56 and covers 57 are fed to the can engaging units by means of a feed turret 58 secured to a shaft 59 journaled in bearings 60 and 61 seated in the plates 1 and 47 respectively. The turret shaft 59 is driven by means of a gear 62 secured thereto in meshing relation with the gear 5, which it engages through a recess in the side of the housing 52.

The turret 58 is provided with spaced flanges 63 an 63' having arcuate recesses 64 in the edges thereof to form can receiving pockets positioned to match with corresponding recesses 65 in the edges of matching flanges 66 and 66' formed upon the turret 4 between the flanges 34 and 34'. A guide rail 67 is mounted to extend part way around the turret 58 with its upper face in the same.

plane with the top of. the turret. The rail 67 is concentric with the tuiret and cooperates therewith to receive can covers, and to position them over cans as they are supplied to the turret 4 at the receiving station. The upper edge of the turret 58 is provided with a stepped shoulder 68 along each recess 64 to provide a seat for a cover 57 and to accommodate a seaming flange 69 formed thereon. The guide rail 67 is provided with a shoulder 70 matching the upper step of the shoulders 68 to support the covers as they are moved to meet oncoming cans.

, The feed turret 58 is timed to move a cover into registering relation with each can 56 supplied to the seaming turret 4 by a supply conveyor 71. As each can is received within a pocket formed 'by the turret flange recesses 65, a cover is moved directly over the can with its downwardly turned flange 69 clearing an out-turned seaming flange 72 upon the top of the can. Covers may be fed to the turret by any conventional feed mechanism, not illustrated.

In operation, rotation of the turret 4 causes cans, supplied thereto from the conveyor at the receiving station, to be carried successively past the seaming wheels 19 to a delivery station, where the cans are directed by any which the can rests. These movements combine to move the can and cover together, with the flange 72 underlying the cover inwardly of the flange 69, as illustrated in Fig.

i 10 of the drawings.

As the can approaches the first of the seaming wheels 19, the flanges 69 and 72 are moved against the edge of the wheel, which is being rotated by the spindle 17 through the action of the pinion 18 and the internal gear 33. At the same time, the bearing cylinder 15 is being rotated by means of the gears 28 and 16, and at that moment the eccentrically mounted spindle 17 occupies the position indicated in Fig. 4 ofthe drawings. Movement of the flanges against the seaming wheel causes the flanges to be bent downwardly with the curled edge of the cover inturned between the flange 72 and the can body, as shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings.

As the can is further advanced, the rotation of the cylinder 15 causes the seaming wheel to be displaced orbitally so as to maintain a continuing and progressing engagement with the flanges. At the same time, the rotation of the wheel is transmitted to the can, which is held against the Wheel by its engagement between the freely rotatable chuck and spinning plates. The rate of rotation of the seaming wheel is designed to cause the can to be rotated preferably through about four complete revolutions. As the can is rotated, the orbital movement of the seaming wheel causes its edge to follow along with the flanges as they are bent toward the can and as the can is advanced past the wheel by the turret, so that the first phase of the seaming operation is com pleted entirely around the can before the can passes beyond the reach of the first seaming wheel.

While the flanges are being thus inturned, the pressure foot 41 and spinning plate 43 are progressively displaced axially to keep the can and cover flanges in fully matched and interfitting relation for the seaming operation.

As each can is advanced past the first seaming wheel, it is moved into engagement with the second Wheel. The can is engaged by the second seaming wheel slightly before it is disengaged by the first wheel, and the second wheel is rotated and shifted orbitally in the same manner as the first wheel to perform the second phase of the seaming operation. At this stage, the flanges are further inturned to the relationship shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings. The axial shifting of the pressure foot 41 and spinning plate 43 is continued sufliciently to insure a full interfitting of the can and cover flanges to produce a maximum hem. This stage of the operation is completed entirely around the can during the period required for the can to pass the second seaming wheel.

From the second seaming wheel, the can moves into engagement with the third and final seaming wheel. Here again the wheel is rotated and moved orbitally to maintain seaming engagement through the full range of movement required for the can to pass the wheel. At this stage, the interfolded flanges are pressed tightly to gether and against the can body, as indicated in Fig. 13 of the drawings. This results in a tight and effective seam, with the ends of the flanges infolded substantially to the maximum degree, as indicated in enlarged detail in Fig. 14.

The combined rotary and orbital movement of the seaming wheels maintains an eflective seaming engagement of each wheel with each can through a relatively long interval, and while the cans are advanced a substantial distance and rotated through several revolutions. The internal gear 33 cooperating with the pinions 18 permits driving force to be applied to the spindle from the gears 23 and 32 in any position of its orbital movement due to the rotation of the bearing cylinders 15. The operation is so timed that each bearing cylinder is turned through one complete revolution for each can so that each wheel will meet and advance with each successive can.

The engagement of each seaming wheel with a can and cover is illustrated diagramatically in Fig. 9 of the drawings. As a can is advanced past a seaming wheel through the positions indicated from 0 through 4, the wheel is shifted through a corresponding number of positions indicated by the swing of its axis orbitally through the positions a, b, c, and d. The arcs a, b, c, and d intersect with arcs 0, 1', 2', 3' and 4', indicating successive positions of the cans. The shaded areas between the intersecting arcs illustrate the points and degree of engagement of wheel and can at the various positions shown. The engagement is continuous through the full range of action, and the four points indicated are merely illustrative. The centers 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 correspond to the positions of the cans in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 respectively; and the centers a, b, c and d correspond to the centers of the spindles in the positions shown in Figs. 4 (also 8), 5, 6 and 7. From Fig. 4 it may also be seen that the axes of the cylinders 15 (the center of rotation of the orbital movement of each of the shafts 17 and the seaming wheels 19) are displaced approximately one sixteenth inch in the direction of rotation of the turret 4, whereby the engagement of the seaming wheels 19 with each can will progress from a just tangent contact with the can, to a penetration depth of approximately oneeighth inch at the point where the seaming rolls 19 leave contact with each can.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by LettersPatent is:

l. A machine for seaming tops onto cans comprising a frame, a rotatable turret on said frame operable to ad vance a succession of cans and tops from a receiving station to a delivery station, a plurality of can gripping units mounted in angularly spaced relation upon the periphery of the turret, each unit comprising upper and lower plates freely rotatable upon the turret and axially movable to press the cans and tops into engagement, a plurality of seaming wheels journaled for orbital movement about fixed points in angularly spaced relation on said frame adjacent the turret for seaming the tops onto cans carried therepast by the turret, driving means for rotating the seaming wheels, and means for moving the wheels orbital. ly in timed relation with the rotation of said turret and with.the movement of the cans and tops for maintaining progressive seaming engagement with each successive can and top.

2. A machine for seaming tops onto cans comprising a frame, a rotatable turret on said frame operable to ad vance a succession of cans and tops from a receiving station to a delivery station, a plurality of can gripping units mounted in angularly spaced relation upon the periphery of the turret, each unit comprising upper and lower plates freely rotatable upon the turret and axially movable to press the cans and tops into engagement, a plurality of seaming wheels mounted for orbital movement about fixed parts in angularly spaced relation on said frame adjacent the turret at a level in line with the can tops, and power driven gear means for rotating the seaming wheels about their own axes and for shifting the axis of rotation of said wheels orbitally in timed relation with the movement of the cans and tops therepast for maintaining progressive seaming engagement with each successive can and top.

3. A machine for seaming tops onto cans comprising a frame, a rotatable turret on said frame operable to advance a succession of cans and tops from a receiving station to a delivery station, a plurality of can gripping units mounted in angularly spaced relation upon the periphery of the turret, each unit comprising upper and lower plates freely rotatable upon the turret and axially movable to press the cans and tops into engagement, a plurality of bearing cylinders rotatably mounted at fixed points in angularly spaced relation on said frame adjacent the path of movement of the cans and provided with bearing bores eccentrically positioned therein, sewing wheels journaled in the bores, means for rotating the wheels about their own axes, and means for rotating the bearing cylinders for moving the wheels orbitally in timed relation with the movement of the cans and tops therepast for maintaining progressive seaming engagement with each successive can and top.

4. A machine for seaming tops onto oans comprising a frame, a rotatable turret on said frame operable to advance a succession of cans and tops from. a receiving station to a delivery station, a plurality of can gripping units mounted in angularly spaced relation upon the periphery of the turret, each unit comprising upper and lower plates freely rotatable upon the turret and axially mov- 7 able to press the cans and tops into engagement, a plu rality of bearing cylinders rotatably mounted at fixed points in angularly spaced relation on said frame adjacent the periphery of the turret and provided with eccentricallypositioned bearing bores, spindles journaled in the bores, seaming wheels secured to the spindles in line with the can tops, gear means connected to the cylinders for rotating the cylinders to impart orbital movement to the spindles and seaming wheels, and gear means for rotating the spindles continuously during the orbital movement thereof whereby said wheels are progressively maintained in seaming engagement with each successive can and top. a

5. A machine for seaming tops onto cans comprising a frame, a rotatable turret on said frame operable to advance a succession of cans and tops from a receiving station to a delivery station, a plurality of can gripping units mounted in angularly spaced relation upon the periphery of the turret, each unit comprising upper and lower plates freely rotatable upon the turret and axially movable to press the cans and tops into engagement, a plurality of bearing cylinders rotatably mounted at fixed points in angularly spaced relation on said frame adjacent the periphery of the turret and provided with eccentrically positioned bearing bores, spindles journaled in the bores, seaming wheels secured to the spindles at a level in line with the can tops, gear means connected to the cylinders for rotating the cylinders to impart orbital movement to the: spindles and seaming wheels, a driving member mounted in concentric axial alignment with each bearing cylinder and provided with inner and outer annular gear portions, pinions secured to the spindles and meshing with the inner gear portions of the corresponding driving member, and a drive gear meshing with the outer gear portion, the orbital movement of said seaming wheels being in timed relation with the rotation of the turret and the movement of the cans and tops therepast for maintaining progressive seaming engagement with each successive can and top.

6 A machine for seaming tops onto cans comprising a frame, a rotatable tu ret on said frame, a drive shaft extending axially through the turret and geared thereto, a plurality of chuck units upon the turret for receiving, supporting and conveying a succession of cans and tops along an arcuate path from a receiving station to a delivery station, each unit comprising upper and lower rotatable plates mounted in axial alignment and axially movable to press cans and tops received therebetween into engagement, a gear box mounted over the turret and provided with a plurality of bearing sleeves positioned in angularly spaced relation around the turret outwardly from the path of movement of the cans, bearing cylinders journaled for rotation in the sleeves and provided with eccentrically disposed bearing bores, spindies journaled in the bores, seaming wheels secured to the spindles at a level in line with the can tops and operable to scam the tops onto the cans, gears connecting the drive shaft to the bearing cylinders, a drive member journaled over each bearing cylinder in concentric independently rotatable relation thereto and provided with concentric internal and external gears, a drive gear connecting the drive shaft to the external gear of the drive member, and a pinion meshing with the internal gear and connected to the spindle of the corresponding seaming wheel, for rotating said cylinder in timed relation with the rotation of the turret and the movement of the cans and tops therepast for maintaining progressive seaming engagement with each successive can and top, said 8 internal gearhaving a pitch diameter equal to the sum of the pitch diameter of the pinion and the diameter of the eccentric movement of the spindles.

7. A machine. for seaming tops onto cans comprising a frame, a moving carrier mounted on said frame and operable to advance a succession of cans and tops from a receiving station to a delivery station, a plurality of can gripping units mounted in spaced relation upon the carrier, each unit comprising vupper and lower plates freely rotatable upon the carrier and axially movable to press the cans and tops into engagement, a plurality of bearing cylinders rotatably mounted on said framecin spaced relation adjacent to and along the path of movement of the cans and provided with bearing ,bOICSCCCCH-e trically positioned therein, seaming wheels journaled iu the bores, means for rotating the cylinders for imparting orbital movement to the seaming wheels about the axis of the cylinders in timed relation to the movement of the cans and tops therepast, for maintaining constant. seaming engagement with each successive can and top,

and means for rotating the seaming wheels about their own axes.

8. In a machine for seaming tops onto cans having a frame, a power rotated turret rotatably mounted on.

said frame provided with a plurality of chuck units for receiving, supporting and conveying a succession of cans and tops along an arcuate path from a receiving station to a delivery station, a seaming wheel mounted for orbital movement about a fixed point in spaced relation to thepath of the can tops at a level in line therewith, and driving means for rotating said wheel about its own axis, in timed relation with the rotation of said turret and with the movement of the cans and tops therepast for maintaining constant seaming engagement with each successive can and top, said driving means comprising a member having concentric inner and outer gear portions,

a drive gear engaging the outer gear, and a pinion connected to the seaming wheel in eccentric relation to the inner gear and in mesh therewith, the pitch diameter of the inner gear being equal to the sum of the pitch diameter of the pinion and the diameter of its eccentric movement.

9. In a machine for seaming tops onto cans having'a frame, a carrier movably mounted on said frame and,

orbits, means engaging the external gear for actuating.

the driving member, and means actuated by the internal gear for rotating the wheel about its own axis in timed relation to the movement of said carrier and the movement of a can and top therepast for maintaining said wheel in progressive engagement with each successive can and top. r

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,077,393 Conradi c Nov. 4, 1913 1,306,648 Worme June 10, 1919 1,332,785 Warme Mar. 2, 1920 .1,348,650 Kronquest Aug. 3, 1920 Hill Nov. 22, 1921' va w. 

